The acquisition of four new Rubber Tyred Ganrty (RTG) cranes by APM Terminals Apapa has been described as a feat to boost shipping operations in the country’s biggest port.
The Guardian gathered that the new facilities are part of a larger equipment fleet renewal and expansion programme, where a total of seven RTGs, seven reach stackers and two empty handlers have been acquired.
With the new acquisition, APM Terminals Apapa holds 30 RTGs in operation. It also has 13 mobile harbour cranes (MHCs), in addition to several reach stackers, forklifts, empty handlers and specialized terminal trucks, making it the best-equipped port terminal in Nigeria.
Commenting on the development, the Chief Operating Officer, APM Terminals Apapa, Steen Knudsen, said that the new cranes, which were built with the latest technology, have a lifting capacity of 41 tons and would ensure efficient services to the entire port community.
He said the new cranes were acquired as part of an ongoing investment of $80 million for 2020-2021, bringing the total investment by the company in Apapa since 2006 to $438 million (approximately N168 billion).
“We remain committed to deepening our investment in Apapa to enable us to handle increasing volumes at the port. The additional investments will create the capacity to handle growth in the economy to support the Federal Government’s efforts on trade growth and improve service delivery across the logistic chain,” Knudsen said.
He said APM Terminals Apapa recently deployed 4G LTE wireless network and commissioned its operation command centre to enhance service delivery.
“We have embarked on massive digitization of our operations and services. This is in keeping with our global transformation drive. The deployment of the 4G LTE wireless network has stimulated greater efficiency and higher productivity as it will allow for better collaboration in our terminal operations.
“The new operation command centre, which was commissioned by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, accompanied by the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman in December, comes with several benefits to importers and exporters. The centre is the brain of the business. It is about day-to-day execution where information is exchanged. This is where we decide which box to put where at which time and the equipment to pick it up so that everything works together,” said Knudsen.
“It will strengthen the exchange of information and coordination in the movement of containers out of the port thereby enhancing operational efficiency in addition to providing a better work environment,” he said.
Knudsen said APM Terminals would continue to introduce innovations at Apapa to help both shipping lines and landside customers achieve improved supply chain efficiency, flexibility and dependability, cost-effectively.
